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Hi all,
I've got a 3 inch wide stropping board which I got from "The Classic Edge."
I've used it twice, and the way I used it was to place it on a table, with the surface of the strop parallel to the table surface.
It seemed to go OK, and was certainly enjoyable, and I was wondering if anyone had any comments about how to best use these boards e.g. parallel to the table or inclined as with a paddle strop.
Set it up for what feels right to you. There is no generic answer for this question as there is no right or wrong answer. Try different things and you will feel what works best for you. I use a type of paddle strop and fabricated a stand to fix to the wall. A buddy had the same unit and set his up so he can sit while stropping. Needless to say I was so jealous for not thinking of that idea.
Why stand when you can sit why sit when you can laydown.
Har!!!
Heres a photo of my setup got it to the height I like. The below photo is my workshop strop. This one Ive learned where I'm now at seated stool height.
Attachment 145541
Attachment 145542
Do whats comfortable for you.
Hi again,
I checked my stropping board against a straight edge and it's not flat. It has a bump in the middle at one end and is generally dished in the middle and the length, all by about 0.5mm. Is this a big problem?
If you Google "gssixgun bench strop" you will find a Vid out there on my channel that might give you a few ideas
Leather being a natural material will never be perfect and changes with weather conditions such as humidity.
I use well worn DMT plates up to 1000 grit on my strops,they are dead flat when finished.
By using an X pattern stroke on any strop, you will get full coverage to the blade edge,thinking that using a wide strop and just up and down strokes is wrong IMO as the stropping surface changes all the time esp with hanging strops,Just my two cents.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
Wanna yell that from the rooftops please...
I have a bad cold and a sore throat,no yelling today:)Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Please elaborate. If the strop is wide enough to cover the whole blade, then why do X strokes?Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Because if the strop isnt flat you won't strop the whole blade ie convex strop - blade.centre.stropped, concave strop - blade edges stropped, doing an x will mean that the whole blade should contact at least part of the strop.Quote:
Originally Posted by souschefdude
Hope that is right, that's my understanding of it.
Also keep in mind that the X stroke is not the only pattern,, the lesson here as with honing, regardless of the size of the Hone or Strop straight up and back strokes are not that great of an idea...Quote:
Originally Posted by souschefdude
But as always they are your razors so do as you please, we can only tell you what we have learned over years of experience, whether people chose to accept it is up to them..
While i greatly appreciate knowledge passed, it is in my nature to want to know the Why, not just the what. If the reason for doing so stands up to reason, then I can accept it. If not, then I probably will take it with suspicion.Quote:
Originally Posted by gssixgun
Interesting, though the wider the surface the less exaggerated or defined the X stroke needs to be, right?
My understanding was that no surface is completely even/smooth/level and that if you are running the same exact point on the edge over the same bump or dip with every pass (more likely with a straight up and down path) then your edge isn't going to be very uniform across it's entire length.
I have a 3" hanging strop and I find that my stroke is naturally slightly windscreen wipery.
If it's good enough for Lynn, well... ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by edhewitt
I strop on air. It's always flat.
I have the same little paddle strop. I find it to be too short, which makes me want to use it less.
I just use the pyramid power sharpening technique, no stropping necessary!Quote:
Originally Posted by kwlfca
:shrug:
It smells like at least one of you two is stropping on bovine manure if you ask me :)
Whorever it is good enough for, my razor stays shaveable. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedster
It has to be kwlfca, after all I'm not stropping see :DQuote:
Originally Posted by edhewitt
Yeah, see, that is what I am talking about.Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedster
Advances are never made by accepting what always was.
Hi everyone.
Thanks for the feedback.
I have been using an X stroke stropping pattern, for the reason mentioned above about ensuring that all the blade contacts the leather even if the strop is not perfectly flat. Also, that's how Lynn does it in the DVD :D
Anyhow, I'm about 10 shaves into my career and the edge is still not tugging, so I'm happy enough!
How you strop is 95% of the program with a pro honed blade.Quote:
Originally Posted by russell4cook
lol but for real though...OP do you find it to be too short?
I hold it in my hand when I use it. I mostly just use my hanging strop. I feel like I should have gotten the SRD modular paddle strop....oh well, live and learn.
The stropping board I have is about 25cm long, and I find the stropping action quite comfortable. I now hold the board at an incline of about 30 degrees to the table. I find that much more comfortable than having the board flat on the table.
One of the nicest set ups I have ever seen!Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarkus
